Michal Hernik dies during Dakar Rally

Polish motorbike rider Michal Hernik died on Tuesday while racing in the Dakar Rally in Argentina. The 39-year-old was discovered 300 metres from the track on the stage from San Juan to Chilecito, becoming the fifth motorcyclist to die since the rally was moved to South America in 2009.

Twenty-four hours after the tragic accident, Spain’s Joan Barreda kept his composure to clinch stage 4. The Honda rider dominated his opponents from the outset, eventually completing the 315km trek from Chilecito to Copiapo in an impressive time of 3 hours, 27 minutes and 28 seconds.

Marc Coma produced a solid run but it wasn’t to be for the KTM rider who had to settle for second place after crossing the finish line 1 minute and 59 seconds behind the winner with Pablo Quintanilla coming home third.